Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Dubai’s golden dunes at sunset camel rides fire shows and smoky barbecue

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert in every sense: soft sand underfoot during dune bashing, fragrant gahwa at camp, camel rides at sunset, smoky barbecue dinner with live shows and henna art. Hotel pickup makes it easy to relax into each moment — even if you’re still thinking about those spinning dancers long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of sand under my sneakers when we stepped out near the edge of the Dubai desert — it’s quieter than I expected, except for the soft chatter from our group and that low hum from the 4WD cooling down. Our driver, Kareem, grinned as he handed out bottles of cold water (bless him), then gave us a quick rundown before we all piled back in for dune bashing. Honestly, I thought I’d be cool with it — but halfway through those wild dips and sharp turns, I was laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. The sand outside looked almost pink in the late afternoon light. Kareem kept pointing out little things: “See how the wind draws lines?” He even let us stop for photos right as the sun dropped behind the dunes — not sure any picture really does that color justice.

We rolled up to camp just as someone started pouring gahwa — Arabic coffee — into tiny cups. There was this warm smell of cardamom and something sweet frying (later found out it’s called luqaymat). I tried saying thank you in Arabic and got a big smile from one of the women painting henna nearby. She offered me a small design on my hand — quick and delicate, nothing too flashy. The camel ride was shorter than I imagined but honestly, that was fine; camels are taller than they look from far away! One of the handlers laughed when I nearly slid off getting down. There was also a falcon sitting quietly for photos; I didn’t try it but some folks did, and it looked pretty regal perched there.

Dinner started just after sunset: smoky barbecue smells mixing with spices from the buffet line. I loaded up on grilled chicken and some kind of lentil stew (vegetarian options too), then found a spot near the stage where music started up. The tanura dancer spun so fast his skirt became this blur of color — at one point he caught my eye and winked. Later came fire twirling that made everyone gasp a little; you could feel heat even from ten feet away. At some point between bites and clapping along to music, I realized how far away city noise felt. It’s funny what sticks with you — like eating dessert under stars or trying to draw patterns in sand with your shoe while waiting for pickup back to Dubai.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening desert safari and dinner

• Hotel pick-up in premium vehicle
• Arrive at rest area and meeting point
• Enter the desert
• Dune bashing for 30 minutes
• Watch the desert sunset
• Depart for desert camp
• Arrive at luxury desert camp
• Enjoy camel ride and falcon photos
• Participate in Arabic camp activities
• Enjoy BBQ dinner buffet
• Watch live entertainment shows
• Receive henna tattoo keepsake
• Relaxing drop-off back to hotel

Top questions

What time does the evening desert safari start?

Pickup is between 2:00 - 2:30 PM during winter months.

Is hotel pickup included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your Dubai hotel or residence are included.

How long is the dune bashing part?

Dune bashing lasts around 30 minutes during the tour.

Are vegetarian options available at dinner?

Yes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are served at the international buffet dinner.

Can children join this tour? Are infant seats available?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available.

Is quad biking included in the price?

No, quad bike or buggy rides are optional at extra cost.

Are live entertainment shows always included?

Belly dance is not available during Ramadan; other shows like tanura and fire show are included.

What should I wear for this Dubai desert safari?

Wear casual loose clothing; sports shoes are recommended for sand boarding. Bring a jacket in winter.

What’s included

Your evening includes air-conditioned 4WD hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, around 30 minutes of dune bashing through golden sands, a short camel ride experience, Arabic coffee (gahwa) with dates plus local snacks like falafel and luqaymat at camp, unlimited water and soft drinks throughout, an international open buffet BBQ dinner with vegetarian choices, sand boarding opportunities, live tanura dance and fire show performances (belly dance except during Ramadan), henna painting for ladies (small design), plus an optional falcon photo experience for a small fee before heading back to your hotel.